Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Jon “Bones” Jones interacts with media during an open training session for fans and media at Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts and Fitness on April 2, 2014, in Albuquerque, N.M.Aaron Sweet/Getty Images

On Saturday, Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion Jon Jones defended his title, beating Daniel Cormier in a five-round decision, and on Tuesday, Jones announced that he is entering a drug-treatment facility after testing positive for traces of cocaine.

According to Yahoo Sports, Jones was tested on Dec. 4, some weeks before his title defense, by the Nevada Athletic Commission and was found to be positive for "benzoylecgonine, the main metabolite in cocaine." However, because benzoylecgonine is not on the banned-substance list, Jones could not be kept from competing as the main event in UFC 182 at the MGM Grand Garden. Jones won the match but decided days later that he needed to check into a drug-treatment facility.

Advertisement

"With the support of my family, I have entered into a drug-treatment facility. I want to apologize to my fiancee, my children, as well as my mother, father and brothers for the mistake that I made," Jones said in a statement sent to Yahoo News. "I also want to apologize to the UFC, my coaches, my sponsors and, equally important, to my fans. I am taking this treatment program very seriously. Therefore, at this time my family and I would appreciate privacy."

According to ESPN, Jones was arrested in May 2012 "on suspicion of driving under the influence when he drove his car into a telephone pole in New York. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and was fined $1,000 and had his driver's license suspended six months."

"We support UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones' decision to enter a drug-treatment facility to address his recent issue. While we are disappointed in the failed test, we applaud him for making this decision to enter a drug-treatment facility," read a statement released by the UFC. "Jon is a strong, courageous fighter inside the Octagon, and we expect him to fight this issue with the same poise and diligence. We commend him on his decision, and look forward to him emerging from this program a better man as a result."